Skins Drafting To Improve Offense

Gone are the days when the Washington Redskins could head into the annual college draft with the philosophy of drafting the best athlete available, regardless of position.

You can do that in the first round and in the later rounds if you've got a fairly solid roster.

But the Redskins have neither a first round pick today - their first selection is the 10th pick in the second round - nor are they prepared to head into the 1990s with 23 veterans 28 years of age or older. Sixteen veterans are over 30.

The Redskins' theme for the 1989 draft, which begins today at noon and concludes on Monday, is offense.

The Redskins still need a big back and an H-back to make their one-back system work, and they could use new blood at center and guard.

On defense, they need a middle linebacker and two tackles, but those positions will have to wait. It's crucial that they get help on the offense.

The Redskins of 1988 lost the identity they acquired when Coach Joe Gibbs took over in 1981. The team that used to dominate with the run became the 25th best in the National Football League and the passingest team in franchise history.

The Redskins of 1988 were also the most butter-fingered (34 fumbles, 25 interceptions), and fifth most-penalized team in club history.

The Redskins of 1989 have more needs than at any time since Gibbs took over, but none more pressing than on offense.

There are several trades that could materialize today. The Redskins are very close to getting veteran running back Earnest Byner from the Cleveland Browns for a third-round pick, and they could trade all-pro cornerback Darrell Green to Denver for the Broncos' 13th selection in the first round.

Should the Byner deal be completed Washington, rumored to be after fullback Cleveland Gary of Miami, could switch and take massive center Brian Williams of Minnesota.

There's no shortage of needs on offense. Coach Joe Gibbs plans to stick with his one-back offense in 1989, an attack that works best with a big and durable back capable of carrying up to 25 times a game. The top backs from last season are pint-sized Jamie Morris and brittle Kelvin Bryant.

The Redskins would love to see big Lawyer Tillman available when they pick early in the second round. The 6-4, 232-pounder is big enough to help as an H-back and fast enough to play wide receiver.

Washington got little production from the H-backs in 1988, and all-pro receiver Gary Clark is holding out for a hefty pay raise and is being mentioned in trade rumors.

Barring a trade into the first round, the Redskins could draft fullback Daryl Johnson of Syracuse, defensive tackle Mitchell Benson of Texas Christian, or offensive guard-tackle Doug Widell of Boston College with their 10th pick in the second round.

The Redskins may pull a surprise around the fifth round and select all-purpose back Dave Meggett of Towson State. The slightly-built Meggett - 5-7, 175 - played quarterback, running back and wide receiver in college, but Gibbs projects him as a cornerback in the NFL.

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks - Unless Gibbs trades one of his three veterans, he's set. But General Manager Bobby Beathard will probably draft a few in the later rounds and try to turn them into defensive backs.

Running backs - Last year's veterans are lightweights, unable to take the pounding the Redskins' system requires. Beathard would like to acquire Gerald Riggs from Atlanta or Earnest Byner of Cleveland, or trade into the upper echelon of the first round and draft Cleveland Gary of Miami. If neither plan works, it could be a long year unless ex-Canadian Football League star Willard Reaves comes through.

Wide receivers - Beathard could trade all-pro Gary Clark to get Riggs, leaving Art Monk and Ricky Sanders to shoulder the load. The Redskins may then have to trade their No. 1 pick in 1990 to move up to the bottom of the first round and draft Lawyer Tillman of Auburn, a wide receiver big enough to double as an H-back (motion tight end).

Line - Gibbs needs the old geezers like Joe Jacoby, Jeff Bostic and Mark May to hold on one more season. Beathard won't use a second-rounder on a lineman, but he wouldn't pass on Jerry Fontenont of Texas A&M if the center-guard was available in the third round.

DEFENSE

Line - Washington needs to revitalize its anemic pass rush. Tackle Dave Butz is finished, end Dexter Manley doesn't scare quarterbacks anymore, and tackle Darryl Grant is 30. End Charles Mann can't do it all, but the draft is thin on the line and help will have to come from within.

Linebackers - Washington always needs a couple of these guys with Neal Olkewicz, Mel Kaufman and Monte Coleman all over 30. Once again, though, there won't be any good ones around when Beathard looks to help the defense.

Backs - Beathard loaded up with four defensive backs during the free agent signing period and probably won't draft one, even if he trades all-pro cornerback Darrell Green for a first round pick.